NBA roundup: James to Cleveland picks up steam

The Cleveland Cavaliers believe LeBron James is listening to their pitch to leave the Miami Heat and return to his home state, ESPN.com reported Monday.

Sources told ESPN.com that the four-time MVP is increasingly considering the Cavaliers as an option, although there has yet to be a firm indication that James actually is ready to leave Miami after four years and two championships with the Heat.

James will have a face-to-face meeting with Heat president Pat Riley sometime this week, according to multiple reports Sunday night.

ESPN.com reported that James' agent, Rich Paul, has already sat down with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. Hard feelings have existed between James and Gilbert since James' departure from Cleveland in 2010 to sign with the Heat.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Cavs' pitch made to Paul last week revolves around Kyrie Irving and the other young prospects they have, in addition to the numerous options Cleveland possesses to add to the roster over the next year. The Cavs hope to have their own face-to-face meeting with James this week.

Irving signed a five-year maximum contract extension in the first few hours of free agency. With No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins as well, the Cavs are pitching youth and roster stability to James.

Paul also reportedly had discussions and meetings with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.

---Free agent forward Carmelo Anthony has narrowed his options to three teams, according to the New York Daily News.

Anthony is "torn" between playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls or the New York Knicks.

The 30-year-old is debating the pros and cons of each team and could make a decision any day.

The Bulls would have to work a sign-and-trade with the Knicks for Anthony to receive a "max" contract. The Lakers offer Anthony a chance to play alongside Kobe Bryant as well as a max contract. The Knicks can offer Anthony more money than either the Bulls or the Lakers.

---Miami has taken the first steps to try to keep free agent forward LeBron James in South Beach.

On Monday, the Heat and free agents Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts agreed on deals.

McRoberts, a 6-10 power forward, agreed to a four-year, $23 million deal, according to USA Today. McRoberts averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 30.3 minutes per game for the Charlotte Bobcats last season. The Heat were expected to use their full midlevel exception for the 27-year-old.

Yahoo Sports reported that Granger and Miami had agreed on a two-year deal worth $4.2 million.

Granger was an All-Star for the Indiana Pacers in 2009. He was traded midseason to Philadelphia for Evan Turner. The Sixers released Granger and he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

---Free agent forward Trevor Ariza will be cashing in soon as a handful of teams are lining up to reward the 29-year-old following his career season last year.

The Mavericks, Cavaliers, Lakers and Heat are pursuing Ariza, who averaged 14.4 points a game with the Washington Wizards last season. Ariza has improved his 3-point shooting while maintaining his defensive prowess. Ariza is seeking a deal in the $9 million to $11 million a year range, according to CBSSports.com.

The Heat would have to complete a sign-and-trade deal to be able to pay Ariza what he is asking. The other three teams are waiting for free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to make decisions, which will impact offers those teams can make for Ariza.

---Charlotte Hornets guard P.J. Hairston, a first-round draft pick last month, must appear in Durham County (N.C.) Court on misdemeanor charges of assault and battery following an altercation during a weekend pickup basketball game. Hairston's court date is Aug. 8.

Hairston released the following statement Monday: "I want to apologize to the Hornets organization and our fans for creating this distraction. As this is now a legal matter, I cannot comment on the situation any further. I am truly sorry for any embarrassment that I have caused."

Kentrell Barkley, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound rising senior at Northern Durham High School, said in court documents that Hairston "punched him twice in the head" during a heated basketball game Sunday at the Durham YMCA.

"We were playing open gym and I was running up the court and he hit me in the forehead with his fist," the 17-year-old Barkley told ESPN.com on Sunday. "I walked up to him and asked him what happened, and then he hit me again in the neck."

---A four-day trial, which could determine the ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, was delayed when embattled owner Donald Sterling sought to move the case from probate court to federal court.